DIY: Rear-View Camera under $200
DIY: Rear-View Camera under $200
Cut all the intro crap, I will just get into the steps. 
1.Things to buy
- camera. lol I bought Kenwood CCD-2000 from ebay for $150.
- RCA extension cable. 6ft should be good enough. $10
- 2002 and up REVERSE VW/BMW antenna adapter (EURO A107) $15
(make sure you get REVERSE adapter)
- RCA female plug only (bought it from CircuitCity) $5
2. Before you do anything, enable Back up camera option on HU.
if you got this part working, then proceed to next step.
3. Make AUX input cable that fits back of HU.
- cut one side of antenna adapter

- closer look

- Solder the wire and RCA plug.

- from Back of HU, connect it to the green plug.

From this point, there isn't much to tell you.
There are 2 GREAT posts on how to install the camera.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/262634-diy-rear-camera-install-w-pics-centered-location.html
and
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/254208-diy-i-ve-unleashed-cyclops.html
Jus pick the one you like and follow their step.
I went with 'Rick Hunter's way. I didn't like to feed RCA extension cable through headliner. But it's personal preferance anyways.
Mine works like charm.

1.Things to buy
- camera. lol I bought Kenwood CCD-2000 from ebay for $150.
- RCA extension cable. 6ft should be good enough. $10
- 2002 and up REVERSE VW/BMW antenna adapter (EURO A107) $15
(make sure you get REVERSE adapter)
- RCA female plug only (bought it from CircuitCity) $5
2. Before you do anything, enable Back up camera option on HU.
3. Make AUX input cable that fits back of HU.
- cut one side of antenna adapter

- closer look

- Solder the wire and RCA plug.

- from Back of HU, connect it to the green plug.

From this point, there isn't much to tell you.
There are 2 GREAT posts on how to install the camera.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/262634-diy-rear-camera-install-w-pics-centered-location.html
and
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/254208-diy-i-ve-unleashed-cyclops.html
Jus pick the one you like and follow their step.

I went with 'Rick Hunter's way. I didn't like to feed RCA extension cable through headliner. But it's personal preferance anyways.
Mine works like charm.
Last edited by white46; Oct 27, 2008 at 05:10 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
2013 C300 Sport Black Darth V3.0
RCA extension cable
Audio or video (RG-58) cable?
BTW great DIY I hope to maybe do it this weekend.
Also this may sound like a stupid question how do you get the head unit out of the dash? Thanks.
Audio or video (RG-58) cable?
BTW great DIY I hope to maybe do it this weekend.

Also this may sound like a stupid question how do you get the head unit out of the dash? Thanks.
Last edited by Ron Jr; Oct 27, 2008 at 04:12 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
2013 C300 Sport Black Darth V3.0

this is all you need for disassemble.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_5Fkawy-_g
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Just wanted to add my 2 cents for your DIY, great job...Just did mine last weekend. You can save a little hassle by ordering the FAKRA to RCA connector from Mid-City for $21+shipping, I used a 12' RCA connector, just enough if you follow the truck mounted DIY https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...57#post3074757 (THANKS TO RICK & VADAR SS)
Also you can see the whole install done by mid-city (only difference is they use their VIM) this is a great resource because it's tricky getting the vent out and the clips to release the COMAND unit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_5Fkawy-_g
The Mid-City guys were also very cool about helping out.
Cost total about $200, plus 4hrs for the install.
Also you can see the whole install done by mid-city (only difference is they use their VIM) this is a great resource because it's tricky getting the vent out and the clips to release the COMAND unit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_5Fkawy-_g
The Mid-City guys were also very cool about helping out.
Cost total about $200, plus 4hrs for the install.
Alright, so the only thing Im really scared about is installing the actual camera and running lines to the front of the car. Would a place like Circuit City, who installs 3rd party backup cams, install it for me?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 402
Likes: 3
From: Jet City, USA
'08 W204.081; M 272.948 KE30; Colour Code#792
THUMBS UP from Rick Hunter 


Nice to see another DIY to an option that should have been offered standard from the dealer in the first place.
So the installation really was THAT easy, eh!
Nice to see another DIY to an option that should have been offered standard from the dealer in the first place.
So the installation really was THAT easy, eh!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Looking at the page source, this is the first image:
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...p;d=1223169479
(redisplayed with included spaces so you can see the whole thing: ...
h ttp:// www.mbworld.org/ forums/ attachment.php?attachmentid=140801&d=122316947 9
How it works is like this: It's identifying an image that is supposed to be displayed, IF you are authorized to see it. If you take this http: address to a different browser window, and use it as the page address, it will immediately ask you to log in. After that, it will display the first image. (There are two.)
Once you do log in, it thanks you for logging in, then displays the photo. So, entering this http address results in the forum software going through 3 screens. When you are logged in as a normal user, this is all "automatic", but it can help explain why pages sometimes load slowly.
If you're not seeing the photo, then essentially you're not logged in. If you think you're logged in (e.g., there is a welcome message near the top that has your login name on it), then there might be an error in your account.
I don't know if clearing the cache is useful. You could try different browsers, or a different computer. I can see this photo from IE or Firefox, but I have to be logged in first.
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...p;d=1223169479
(redisplayed with included spaces so you can see the whole thing: ...
h ttp:// www.mbworld.org/ forums/ attachment.php?attachmentid=140801&d=122316947 9
How it works is like this: It's identifying an image that is supposed to be displayed, IF you are authorized to see it. If you take this http: address to a different browser window, and use it as the page address, it will immediately ask you to log in. After that, it will display the first image. (There are two.)
Once you do log in, it thanks you for logging in, then displays the photo. So, entering this http address results in the forum software going through 3 screens. When you are logged in as a normal user, this is all "automatic", but it can help explain why pages sometimes load slowly.
If you're not seeing the photo, then essentially you're not logged in. If you think you're logged in (e.g., there is a welcome message near the top that has your login name on it), then there might be an error in your account.
I don't know if clearing the cache is useful. You could try different browsers, or a different computer. I can see this photo from IE or Firefox, but I have to be logged in first.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944





